Ben Lomand Connection July/Aug 2016

The Ben Lomand

CONNECTION JULY/AUGUST 2016

CREAM OF THE CROP Local students win state FFA awards

ON A MISSION

BLTV’s newest show goes on the road

MISS BASKETBALL

Lakelyn Bouldin continues a family tradition

INDUSTRY NEWS

Making an impact while making connections New study shows that rural broadband adds significant dollars and jobs to nation’s overall economy

By Stephen V. Smith

R

ural broadband is about more than connecting people to high-speed internet service. A new study reveals that your telco and companies like it, along with the vendors that support the industry, made significant contributions to the U.S. economy in 2015.

The study, “The Economic Impact of Rural Broadband,” was published in April by the Hudson Institute, a research organization promoting American leadership, and the Foundation for Rural Service, a nonprofit established in 1994 by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association to advance an understanding of rural issues.

The rural broadband industry had a $24.1 billion impact on America’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last year. A country’s GDP represents the total dollar value of the final goods and services produced by

IMPACT ON GDP $24.1 billion

$6.9 Billion Indirect

all industries and is a means of gauging the economic health of a nation.

In addition to its immediate economic impact, broadband is important to rural communities because it connects citizens to educational, shopping and job opportunities. The Hudson/FRS study, however, revealed that rural broadband has a striking impact on urban areas as well.

Of the $24.1 billion that rural broadband contributed to the GDP, some 66 percent, or $15.9 billion, accrued to urban areas.

Further, of the 69,595 jobs supported by rural broadband, through direct employment and employment generated by its purchase of goods and services, some 54 percent were in urban areas. This can be attributed to the fact that many vendors supplying the industry (with equipment, materials, regulatory and other consultant

services, etc.) are centered in urban areas.

“This illustrates that rural broadband is not just a rural issue,” says Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA. “A healthy U.S. economy actually needs rural broadband, and a healthy U.S. job market actually needs rural broadband.”

Rural broadband also contributed to the economy by supporting e-commerce activity. The U.S. Census Bureau tracks economic transactions that occur over the internet, and, according to the report, rural broadband providers supported some $100 billion in e-commerce through the service they provide to manufacturers (the sector where e-commerce was the strongest).

The report provides additional details, including a state-by-state breakdown of financial impact and number of jobs. To view the report, visit www.frs.org. 

JOBS

E-COMMERCE

69,595

57.1%

54% Urban

46% Rural

$17.2 Billion Direct

Rural broadband companies contributed $24.1 billion to the economies of the states in which they operated in 2015 — $17.2 billion through their own operations and $6.9 billion through the follow-on impact of their operations.

2 | July/August 2016

$100 billion

The rural broadband industry supported 69,595 jobs in 2015 through employment within the industry and employment generated at companies that provide goods and services to the industry. More than half of these jobs were found in urban areas.

Shipments involving E-commerce in the Manufacturing Sector

Rural broadband providers supported an estimated $100 billion in internet-based sales in 2015 through the service they provide to manufacturers in their service areas. Of the sectors in which the U.S. Census Bureau tracks e-commerce, manufacturing led with 57.1 percent of all shipments involving e-commerce.

Millennials now prefer streaming over live TV According to the “State of Cable & Digital Media 2016” report by Horowitz Research, millennials (those aged 18 to 34) are far more likely to stream video than to watch traditional, live television.

Streaming video is content delivered over an internet connection to smart TVs, tablets, smartphones, computers or streaming players such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. The numbers show a dramatic turnaround from 2012 and further underscore millennials’ need for high-quality, high-speed broadband connections.

Millennials and Video: Streaming or Traditional?

75% Streaming Traditional

39% Streaming

15% 2012

2015 Source: Horowitz Research

Call completion

What can you do?

Rural call completion continues to be a challenge, as people experience failed connections and poor call quality when making long-distance or wireless calls to rural landlines. Following are some steps to take if someone has trouble completing a call to you from a long-distance or wireless telephone service provider:

1

Encourage them to report the issue to their provider. They will need the date and time the call was attempted, plus the calling and called telephone numbers.

2

Encourage them to report the problem to the FCC by calling 888-225-5322 or visiting consumercomplaints.fcc.gov. They will need the date

and time the call was attempted, the calling and called telephone numbers and the name of their long-distance or wireless telephone service provider.

3

By Shirley Bloomfield, CEO NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association

Progress on call completion issue

W

Traditional

54%

Rural Connections

Call your local phone company and provide the same information so they may work with the long distance or wireless provider to isolate the problem.

hile the issue of call completion into rural areas continues to be a problem, we saw some progress a few weeks ago when a Utahbased long-distance carrier and call-center service provider agreed to pay $100,000 to settle an FCC investigation.

Rural residents and business owners have long reported that some longdistance and wireless callers are not able to get through to their landline telephone, and that some calls that do come through have poor call quality. A leading cause of these call completion issues is substandard service from third-party companies, known as “least-cost routers,” that longdistance and wireless companies use to route their calls into rural areas.

The FCC investigation and ultimate settlement took place in part thanks to a consumer in rural Minnesota who complained repeatedly to the FCC. This is not an easy step for a consumer to take, and it puts the burden in the wrong place.

While we certainly appreciate the FCC’s actions, such efforts have so far not been able to stop this practice. This calls for the need for legislation like that introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Rep. David Young (R-IA) to shine the light on these least-cost routers and put an end to the call completion problem once and for all. NTCA is eager to work with members of Congress and the FCC to ensure that all carriers and intermediate providers finally understand that practices contributing to dropped and uncompleted calls are simply unacceptable.  July/August 2016 | 3

FROM THE INTERIM GM/CEO

The Ben Lomand

CONNECTION JULY/AUGUST 2016

Building for the future

M

any of us use broadband when we first wake up, at the last moment before we go to sleep and during much of the time in between. For something that barely existed 15 years ago, it’s remarkably embedded in our lives.

In the morning, before we even get dressed, we check the weather. That’s right; broadband helps us decide what clothes to wear every day. When we get in our cars, many of us listen to podcasts, stream internet radio stations or use our phone’s GPS for directions if we’re going somewhere new. These services may exist on our mobile phones, but it’s important to remember that it’s often broadband providers like Ben Lomand Connect that have built the network to connect cell towers to servers.

At work, more and more of our jobs rely on broadband. We LISA COPE Interim GM/CEO email customers and co-workers. We order parts. We download new curricula, training videos or manuals. We upload our documents, diagrams and data to far-flung vendors, partners and clients. More and more of us are using videoconferencing to interact face-to-face with people around the country or even around the world.

Toward the end of our work day, some of us search recipes or restaurant menus to decide on dinner. After we eat, many of us shop online, share photos with family members or browse social media. Then, as our evening comes to an end, we stream TV shows, catch up on news articles or read an e-book we’ve downloaded on our tablets.

To be sure, the internet has made so many day-to-day tasks more convenient and has allowed us to work more efficiently.

It’s easy to say no one could have predicted how big the internet has become in our daily lives, but as your local broadband provider, it’s our job to predict these types of advances and prepare for them. We’ve worked hard over the past several decades to be sure we invested in the network our customers would need, before they would need it. For our area to keep up with the business trends, quality of life and educational opportunities in other areas, it’s been paramount that our network be able to handle future demands.

Looking forward, I don’t see these advances slowing down. On the contrary, I believe changes in telemedicine, streaming entertainment, cloud-based computing, home automation and long-distance learning will rapidly increase the importance of a reliable broadband connection.

I’m excited to see the new ways technology will improve our lives over the next 10 or 15 years, and I’m excited to be part of the team that’s delivering this technology to the customers of Ben Lomand Connect. 

VOL. 4, NO. 4

The Ben Lomand Connection is a bimonthly newsletter published by Ben Lomand Connect, © 2016. It is distributed without charge to all member/ owners of the cooperative.

is a member-owned corporation dedicated to delivering advanced telecommunications technology to the people of Middle Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland, including all of Grundy, Warren and White counties, and portions of Coffee, DeKalb, Marion, Bedford, Franklin, Van Buren and Rutherford counties.

Ben Lomand Connect 311 N. Chancery St. • P.O. Box 670 McMinnville, TN 37111 Telephone: 931-668-4131 or 800-974-7779 www.benlomandconnect.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Ray Troop, President, Warren County Gerald L. Sitz, Vice President, Grundy and Marion counties Jeff Flatt, Secretary/Treasurer, Warren County Roger W. Bynum, Coffee County Bill Hickey, White and DeKalb counties Donald Hollingsworth, Van Buren County Cain Rogers, White and Putnam counties Joe C. Roper, Coffee, Bedford, Rutherford and Franklin counties Bobby A. Thompson, Grundy County Produced for Ben Lomand Connect by:

On the Cover: Austin Barry, left, and Martin Grissom are recent graduates of Warren County High School and have been recognized with Tennessee’s highest FFA honors.

See story Page 12.

4 | July/August 2016

Video on Demand New Release Schedule

Local students represent area on Youth Tour Wesley Jennings, left, and Mackenzie Pistole represented Ben Lomand Connect in June at the Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., attended by 100 students representing their telecommunications companies from all over rural America.

Jennings is a student at Warren County High School, and Pistole is a student at F.C. Boyd Christian School.

Fair season is here!

Fiber Update

Ben Lomand Connect is excited to once again support area county fairs. Please mark your calendars, and be sure to stop by the company’s booth.

Fiber crews continue to work in Warren County’s Shangri La and Oakland Church areas, and the fiber to the home rollout should be ready by midsummer. Construction is almost complete, with fiber splicing to begin soon on Post Road and around the McMinnville Civic Center.

Work also continues to deliver fiber to Crossville, Dibrell and Rock Island customers. Ben Lomand reports continued growth of its fiber footprint in Coffee County with several businesses signing up for fiber services.

GRUNDY COUNTY FAIR Aug. 8 - 13

WARREN COUNTY FAIR Sept. 9 - 17

VAN BUREN COUNTY FAIR Aug. 13 - 20

COFFEE COUNTY FAIR Sept. 17 - 24

WHITE COUNTY FAIR Sept. 2 - 10

Back to the Strip Local Channel 6 had a great turnout for the Back to the Strip party and provided live coverage of the event. An aerial view of the strip has been added with shots taken from a Ben Lomand Connect bucket truck. Dave Williams of Northside Video and Reels to Rentals provided their list of the top car movies ever made!

H H H H Happy Fourth of July H H H H All Ben Lomand offices and the Customer Response Center will close July 4. For emergencies, call 1-800-974-7779, and all calls will go to the after-hours call center.

Ben Lomand Connect

For a small fee, Ben Lomand’s Video on Demand service gives you access to new releases as many as eight weeks before Netflix or Redbox (designated by an *). Movies can be purchased in standard and high definition formats.

To access Video on Demand, press the “VOD” or “On Demand” button on the remote or press the “Menu” button and look for “On Demand.”

July 5 • I Saw the Light • Baby Geniuses and the Space Baby • By the Sea July 12 • Miracles from Heaven • The Boss (Unrated)* • Hardcore Henry* • The Divergent Series: Allegiant • Green Room • Everybody Wants Some!!

July 19 • Miles Ahead • The Perfect Match • Demolition* July 26 • Barbershop: The Next Cut • Criminal Aug. 9 • Last Days in the Desert • Money Monster Aug. 16 • God’s Not Dead 2 • Ratchet & Clank* Aug. 23 • Dark Horse (2016) • Maggie’s Plan • The Huntsman: Winter’s War*

July/August 2016 | 5

Astronomical

Attractions Explore the galaxy from these heavenly hotspots

By Anne Braly

C

ity lights cast a blanket over the night sky, effectively covering the brilliance of the stars. But step out into the country and the universe presents itself with a light show like none other.

Here are some of the best places for stargazing in the South — wonders to behold by simply looking up.

TAMKE-ALLAN OBSERVATORY Rockwood, Tennessee Though many parts of the Cumberland Plateau have seen extensive growth resulting in light pollution, Tamke-Allan is in an isolated location ideal for stargazing, says Dr. David Fields, astronomy professor at Roane State Community College. The observatory was opened by the college in 1998.

“Only by experiencing astronomy and discussing the implications of an infinite universe does one begin to appreciate the challenges and adventures that astronomy offers,” Fields says.

And what newcomers to Tamke-Allan will experience includes observing the skies through one of several telescopes: a 13.1-inch Dobsian; a computercontrolled 12-inch Meade; and a large 6-foot-long, 8-inch telescope. In addition, there are several smaller telescopes used for teaching, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own. gg Hours: The first and third Saturdays of every month, beginning at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting. gg Admission: Free, but bring food to share with astronomers. gg Information: www.roanestate.edu/obs

Tech-Savvy Traveler: Good news! If you don’t have time to make it to an observatory or planetarium — the night sky puts on a show every night from dusk to dawn and technology can help you know what’s going on. Websites like seasky.org provide calendars to know when eclipses, meteor showers and other phenomena will occur and darksitefinder.com can help you find areas away from city lights where you can see the sky best. For more advanced astronomers, mobile apps like Star Chart, Sky Guide and The Night Sky can help you identify stars, planets and constellations.

6 | July/August 2016

LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES Golden Pond, Kentucky Visitors to the Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory can stand beneath a 40-foot domed ceiling and learn about the constellations on a simulated night sky.

Then, they can see the real thing through two state-of-the-art telescopes, one that will track anything in its view, and another that allows viewers a safe look at the sun, a sight unlike any you’ve ever seen. But if you’re looking for a setting in the wilds of nature, take your tent and binoculars and set out for an overnight in the backcountry, where, on beautiful nights, blackened skies are backlit with nature’s laser show. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a falling star. gg Hours: Open all year, except Thanksgiving Day, December 24-26, December 30-31, and January 1. gg Admission: Daytime shows are $5 (ages 13 and up) and $3 (ages 5-12).

Evening shows are $7 (all ages). gg Information: www.explorekentuckylake.com or www.landbetweenthelakes.us.

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA Tuscaloosa, Alabama Summer is one of the best times for stargazing. “It’s the time of year that gets the brightest inner parts of the Milky Way and its star clusters and nebulae,” says Dr. William Keel, a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

While most university programs are student-only events, the astronomy department opens its doors to all on select evenings for both viewings on campus, from the observatory high atop Gallalee Hall, and off campus, from beneath the dark skies of Moundville Archeological Park.

When the observatory’s copper-topped dome opens, a large telescope mounted on a giant arm swings into position, its lens searching for the mysteries of the universe that light the night sky.

Sometimes as many as 200, or as few as 10, delight in night-time field trips to Moundville, where portable telescopes bring into focus planets and other celestial

spectacles not seen by the naked eye. gg Hours: See website for schedule gg Admission: Free gg Information: astronomy.ua.edu/Public. html gg Elsewhere in Alabama: The dome of the planetarium at the Von Braun Astronomical Society on Monte Sano Mountain near Huntsville started life as the shipping cover for a Saturn V fuel tank. Public planetarium shows begin at 7:30 p.m. every Saturday. Admission is $5 (adults), $3 (students) and free for children under 6. For more information, visit www.vbas.org.

RAFES URBAN ASTRONOMY CENTER Denton, Texas Ever look up and ask yourself, “Hmm. Wonder if that’s a star or a planet? Oh, could that be Orion’s belt?” Party with the stars at one of Rafes’ popular star parties and you’ll have the answer delivered on the spot by knowledgeable astronomers.

“Most people really just want to know what they’re looking at,” says Randall Peters, planetarium manager. And for the best view, the party is in an amphitheater adjacent to the observatory, complete with a dozen telescopes of all sizes and configurations.

Rafes also features four telescope huts, each housing Celestron C8 telescopes, and two large domes that house Celestron C14’s.

Rafes is operated by the University of North Texas, less than 10 miles east, making it a short drive to the campus to experience Sky Theater, a planetarium inside the Environmental Sciences Building. It’s open every Saturday and takes guests on a ride through the cosmos via a highdefinition projection system beamed onto a 40-foot domed ceiling. gg Hours: Star parties are every Saturday beginning 30 minutes after sundown.

The Sky Theater offers a children’s matinee at noon and public shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. every Saturday. gg Admission: $5 (star parties), or star party/Sky Theater combo tickets may be purchased for $7 (children under 12

and students with ID), $8 (senior citizens) and $9 (adults). Sky Theater-only tickets are $3 (children under 12 and students with ID), $4 (senior citizens) and $5 (adults). Credit/debit cards not accepted. gg Information: www.astronomy.unt.edu.

Charles E. Daniel Observatory

CHARLES E. DANIEL OBSERVATORY Greenville, South Carolina Greenville’s Daniel Observatory at Roper Mountain Science Center boasts the eighth-largest telescope in the nation. The 23-inch refractor telescope was completed in 1882 for Princeton University. It was rebuilt in 1933 and housed at the U.S. Naval Observatory before being moved to the science center’s observatory in 1978.

“Our telescope is a window to the universe, enabling the observer to see everything from the moons of Jupiter to distant galaxies,” says Greg Cornwell, planetarium and public program specialist.

In addition to Friday’s Starry Nights planetarium show beneath its 50-foot domed ceiling and public viewings at the observatory, the center’s Roper Mountain astronomers offer astronomy classes for students, special events and other organized activities. All this happens high atop the mountain, bringing guests just a bit closer to the stars. gg Hours: Starry Nights, 7-10 p.m. every Friday. gg Admission (includes planetarium show and observatory viewing): $5 (adults) and $4 (children 5-12 and seniors 60-plus). gg Information: www.RoperMountain. org.  July/August 2016 | 7

NEW ON BLTV 6: ‘ON A MISSION’ Hosts of show strive to make a difference

By Lisa Savage Raymond Adcock, left, and Hansel Moore are the hosts of BLTV’s newest show, “On A Mission.”

H

ansel Moore jokes there is much less to him now than just a few months ago — he has lost almost 50 pounds since January. He strives to live a more healthy life, he says, and that’s why the show he co-hosts on BLTV Channel 6 fits him.

“On A Mission” is more than just the name of the newest show in the Channel 6 lineup. It also describes the motivation behind the message BLTV’s Channel 6 wants to share.

For Moore, it’s his mission to connect with the people in the community, to make a difference in their lives. The show is designed to allow Moore to fulfill his goal of helping others.

Moore and co-host Raymond Adcock both say the show is more than sitting behind a desk to talk about the issues. They go on the road, and it is the goal of producers, as well as Moore and Adcock, to find

8 | July/August 2016

real ways to make a difference. The show’s purpose is to educate viewers about all the local resources available to improve their well-being.

ATTENTION TO SENIORS Adcock, a lifelong resident of the area, says he has a passion for working with senior citizens and is an advocate. “The show gives me a chance to create awareness, not only for seniors, but also for everyone in the BLTV viewing area,” Adcock says.

Adcock is a senior account manager at Suncrest Home Health, and Moore is director of case management at Saint Thomas

River Park Hospital. Both organizations are sponsors of the show. The show’s message is important for all the health care agencies in the area, and BLTV is looking for additional sponsors.

As headlining sponsor, Saint Thomas Health was supportive of the show’s positive content. “Local programming like ‘On a Mission’ helps to support education for the community’s well-being,” says Shan Burklow, regional communications coordinator for Saint Thomas Health.

The show’s programming includes segments on Baker Mountain Farms, the Warren County Farmers Market, Second Harvest and the Helping Hands Food Drive.

“On A Mission” provides an opportunity to show the reality of neighbors helping neighbors. For example, the Second Harvest food drive gathered 2,500 pounds of food.

“We were able to help feed 250 families,” Moore says. 

Ben Lomand Connect

Tennessee’s Miss Basketball Hoops with a heart

By Lisa Savage

L

Lakelyn Bouldin has played basketball almost all her life and was named Tennessee’s Miss Basketball.

The recent Van Buren County High School graduate — and one of nine valedictorians of the senior class — heads to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she will continue her basketball career.

She plans to become a physical therapist.

It’s no surprise she has been so successful on the basketball court, averaging 21 points per game with 84 percent accuracy at the free-throw line.

Basketball talent runs deep in her family. Her parents, Kevin and Jill Bouldin, played at Van Buren High School, as did several of her grandparents.

Her aunt, Cheryl Cole, coached Bouldin’s high school team.

Bouldin’s mother scored 1,600 points in high school, setting a record that was broken by her daughter when she was a sophomore. Her father was

a member of a middle school state championship team.

“I’ve just always had a ball in my hand — all the time,” Bouldin says.

She played softball until her freshman year, when she decided to devote her time to basketball and also join a traveling summer league team.

Last summer, Bouldin sprained her ankle and worked hard with physical therapy to recover just in time for the regular season. It was that injury that helped her decide to change her college major to exercise science and become a physical therapist.

“I want to help athletes get back to normal health as soon as possible,” she says.

She grew up loving the Lady Vols, but when the recruitment process started, the UTC program was the obvious choice.

Lakelyn Bouldin was honored as Tennessee’s Miss Basketball with her family by her side. Pictured are, from left, Kevin Bouldin, Lakelyn Bouldin, Layla Bouldin and Jill Bouldin.

Ben Lomand Connect

Photo courtesy of Julie Hillis Photography.

akelyn Bouldin doesn’t remember life without a basketball in her hand. That isn’t likely to change anytime soon for Tennessee’s Miss Basketball.

It’s only an hour from her home in Spencer, and she knew she wanted to stay close. And it’s a decision her parents love, too.

Her father works in the engineering department at Ben Lomand Connect, and her mother is a guidance counselor at the elementary school.

Perhaps her biggest fan is her 10-year-old sister, Layla.

“Layla doesn’t miss a game,” says Jill Bouldin of her daughter.

Her father says he knew by the time Bouldin was 10 she was a natural, but she also had to work hard to reach her goals.

The talent is in the genes, but much of Bouldin’s success is on her, her mother says. “She

pushed herself,” she says. “She has always said she wanted to make history, not repeat it.”

Bouldin’s team did just that when they went to the state tournament this year, and she is the first person in her family to be named Miss Basketball.

“To say we’re proud is an understatement,” Jill Bouldin says. “She’s going to be able to continue her education by doing something she loves so much.”

Bouldin has worked hard, and she remains humble. “It’s a great honor,” she says. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity. I wouldn’t be where I am without my family, teammates and coaches.” 

July/August 2016 | 9

FEATURED BLOGGER

Sue Rodman

Mom MOVE on the

A Q&A with Sue Rodman, a blogger from Atlanta who writes about her travels with her husband and sons, Nicholas, 18; Sam, 16; and Jake, 11.

Check out her blog, at Fieldtripswithsue.com Q: What will readers find at your blog?

SR: Readers will find fun things to do in Atlanta, as well as great places to go that are easily accessible from Atlanta. I try to give folks the information they’ll need before they go, as well as tips to have the best experience possible. Having the right expectations going into an experience can be the difference between a great trip and one that’s not so great.

Q: When did you begin blogging and how has it changed your life?

SR: I began blogging in late 2008. The blog has afforded opportunities for me and my family that I never would have dreamed of before. I’ve also met some incredible people. It’s been fun to feel like I know folks around the entire country.

Q: Has there been a point when you questioned bringing the children along on a trip?

SR: Never. There are no bad field trips, only better stories. However, I will say that my husband has commented that the kids don’t need to come every time, and as they have gotten older we are trying to do some trips without children. They don’t like to be left home, but we remind them that we didn’t go to places like the Turks and Caicos until we were middle-age.

10 | July/August 2016

They have plenty of time. They don’t need to see the entire world right now.

Q: Do you often set out for a day hike, or do you enjoy making your hikes a multiday escape?

SR: When I was younger, I would occasionally combine hiking with camping, but never more than a few days at a time.

Despite my love of the outdoors, “roughing it” has never really been my thing. A year ago I purchased a Subaru Outback.

I can now sleep overnight in my car, enabling me to go farther afield in search of trails.

Q: What’s the most memorable trip you’ve taken with your kids?

SR: We spent a month in Breckenridge, Colorado, one summer. It was an amazing experience. If you have a job that allows you to work virtually, I highly suggest looking into getting away for an extended period like that. We really got to know and explore the area without being rushed.

It was good for the kids to see a different lifestyle from our hectic city life and realize there is more out there than our bubble; you just have to go look for it.

Q: How does traveling with children benefit them and you?

Other blogs you might like: nn gonewiththefamily.com

A blog written by a mother of two young children that includes a collection of travel advice and trip reports, as well as tips, tricks and resources for traveling with little ones.

nn currentlywandering.com

Ever thought about selling your home and hitting the road in an RV or trailer?

Read about the adventures of a family of five living in a 188-square-foot Airstream.

SR: Where do I start? My boys have pulled out history books and pointed to photos of things we’ve seen every year.

Travel brings education alive. It makes kids curious. It also helps them visualize the boring stuff in school and makes it relevant. Travel gives our family shared experiences and many laughs from our adventures. 

Looking for work in the digital age Broadband helps job seekers expand their search

Do’s and Don’ts

By Patrick Smith

W

hen it comes to job hunting in the digital age, an employer’s first impression comes long before the first face-to-face meeting. Web searches, social media, email and online applications may have already painted a picture long before you step through the door.

And without some coaching, it’s easy for that first impression to be something an applicant wouldn’t want. Job seekers should be aware of everything from resume typos to questionable social media posts.

But regardless of the added scrutiny, searching for work online benefits both job seekers and employers. And anyone looking for work who isn’t searching online greatly limits their ability to find a job.

LOOKING ONLINE Applicants can start their online job search in a variety of ways.

CareerBuilder.com, Indeed.com and Monster.com are three of the biggest online job-posting websites.

Additionally, don’t overlook the importance of networking — both in person and online. Many experts encourage people to start a LinkedIn.com social media account. LinkedIn allows users in similar fields to network and connect.

When you’re ready to apply, don’t

send the same resume to 100 different job openings. Tailor your resume and cover letter to each specific job.

And make sure the materials have been checked for misspellings or incorrect information. Even your email address can make an impression on employers. Make sure it’s straightforward and professional.

Also, be aware of what you’re sharing on social media. According to a 2013 survey by CareerBuilder.com, 37 percent of employers use social media sites like Facebook to screen job candidates — and one-third of those employers say they have found information on someone’s social media site that has caused them not to hire that person.

Finally, before the interview, be sure to research the company online. Look into exactly what the company does and read recent news releases so you’re upto-date with the latest information. Being informed about the company also allows job seekers to ask smart questions during the interview. 

•• DO create multiple resumes and cover letters tailored to the specific jobs.

•• DO make sure everything on your resume is accurate and true.

•• DO find out as much as possible about the company and job you have targeted.

•• DO make it easy for employers to open your resume. PDF files of your cover letter and resume usually work best.

•• DO network with people in similar positions, both in person and online.

•• DO stay in touch. Follow up on your application with an email a few days later to show your interest in the job.

•• DO drive to the location where you will be interviewing a day or two early so you don’t get lost on the day of the meeting.

•• DON’T send an email or letter without rereading it to check for attachments, grammar and spelling.

•• DON’T apply for something you aren’t qualified to do.

•• DON’T be afraid of being rejected.

•• DON’T be late for your interview.

July/August 2016 | 11

Star farmers

Warren County High School has two of the state’s best

By Lisa Savage

I

t’s a big honor for a community to have the state FFA Star Farmer. But when two of the best in the state — in the same year — are from the same high school, it’s huge.

“To have one State Star winner is a great achievement. To have two Star winners at the same time is extraordinary,” says Shannon Ford, head of the agriculture science department at Warren County High School.

Martin Grissom and Austin Barry graduated in May, and they left a mark in a county where agriculture is a way of life.

Grissom was named the Tennessee Star Farmer, the highest recognition in the state for an aspiring young farmer. The award goes to the student who best demonstrates achievement in production agriculture, as well as career and leadership development.

Barry is the Tennessee FFA Star in Agricultural Placement, which is given to the

12 | July/August 2016

student who best demonstrates knowledge and skill through experimental, service and work-based learning opportunities.

“This is tremendous recognition for our program,” Ford says. “It highlights our program, but it also shows the dedication and hard work for two young men who have a true love for agriculture. Both are experts in their field and have bright futures ahead of them.”

MARTIN GRISSOM “It’s all I’ve known … all I’ve cared for,” says Grissom, who farms the same land his great-grandfather, Leonard Grissom, once did.

Grissom operates, raises and maintains a variety of agricultural products to sell

Martin Grissom was named Tennessee’s Star Farmer, the highest FFA honor given annually in the state.

Ben Lomand Connect

and donate in his community. He also feeds his livestock and laying hens for egg production with products from the farm.

He raises corn, squash, cucumbers, okra, peppers, cabbage and melons. He also grows wheat, soybeans and hay, but he has become known for his sweet corn.

He has grown sweet corn on 12 acres for about six years with the help of his grandfather, David Grissom.

“That has become my niche, I guess,” he says. He produces about 30,000 ears annually and sells it at farmers markets and roadside stands.

It seems as if he has also developed another niche.

He opened a retail store — M & M Farms — in January in McMinnville to sell his fresh-raised pork and beef, as well as the fresh, seasonal produce. The pigs have become his specialty, he says.

Their diet is a mixture of corn, wheat, soybean and alfalfa, all raised on the farm. “It’s all natural,” he says. It’s another step in producing and buying locally grown products. “You’re getting 100 percent Warren County products,” he says.

His cows are grass-fed on the farm, and once they are slaughtered, all the prime cuts typically used for steaks and roasts are included in the meat for ground beef.

It has become very popular with Grissom’s customers. “It’s very lean and makes some of the best hamburgers you’ve ever had,” he says.

Grissom is a fourth-generation farmer, the son of Mike and Holly Grissom of Rock Island. “I’ve been doing it since I was walking age,” he says.

Grissom plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin to pursue a degree in agribusiness. He hopes to return to the family farm and use his experience to keep it a successful operation for years to come. Also, he takes pride in knowing that his passion for farming is helping feed a small part of the world each day.

“There is nothing more that I’m pasBen Lomand Connect

sionate about or that I devote my time to,” he says. “Everywhere I go, everything I do has to do with agriculture.”

AUSTIN BARRY “Farming has been my passion all my life,” Barry says. It’s that passion that Barry knows will drive him to return to the land after college and educate others about the importance of agriculture.

He says he isn’t sure people understand just how much of an impact farmers have. “I would like to represent what I love and be an advocate for ag so people understand its importance.”

Barry knows a lot about farming, but it might be what he has learned on his grandparents’ dairy farm that played a role in his recognition as a Star in Agricultural Placement. Barry, the son of Gena Barry and Michael Barry of Centertown, has helped out at the Billings Family Dairy Farm since he was able to walk. His grandparents are Levin and Rachel Billings.

At first, he helped with tasks such as bottle-feeding calves and helping clean up in the milking barn. The chores gradually increased to harvesting the hay, feeding it to the cows and helping milk the cows.

Now, the farm has 60 Holstein milk cows and about 1,300 acres on which corn, soybeans and wheat are grown.

Barry learned as his responsibilities increased. He now is instrumental in the overall management of the dairy herd, and he and his uncle help with decisionmaking and employee management.

Also, he has embraced the challenge

Martin Grissom was honored as the Star Farmer, the state’s highest FFA honor.

Austin Barry received the Tennessee Star Farmer Agricultural Placement award.

of managing a working dairy farm and plans to become more involved after he finishes his college education. He plans to attend Tennessee Tech in Cookeville.

Barry has also been recognized for his agricultural accomplishments through the 4-H Club. He has participated at the county, state and national levels.

In 2013, Barry served as June Dairy Month Chairman for Warren County 4-H and spent 30 days traveling and spreading the story about the dairy industry and nutrition to school groups, civic clubs and the public.

He has a deep-rooted love of agriculture, is dedicated to the dairy industry, and has a strong belief in the family farm.

He also wants to make sure others understand the importance of farming and its impact on their lives. “I want to connect that link from farm to table,” he says. 

Austin Barry was named the Tennessee Star Farmer in Agricultural Placement.

July/August 2016 | 13

SOUTHERN KITCHENS

Hot dog Haven

A

ny given weekend, day or night, folks crowd the town square in Abbeville, South Carolina, all coming for one thing: their love of a classic food America can call its very own — hot dogs. And no one serves them up any better than The Rough House.

The downtown eatery has been making hot dogs the same way for 84 years, says owner Darrow Kay. “Except for the kind of mustard we use,” he says. “We now use French’s.”

The Rough House keeps things simple.

In a day when hot dog stands display outrageous toppings, such as avocados, cucumbers, tomatoes — even pineapple and teriyaki sauce — The Rough House takes a simpler approach that turns back the clock on tubular cuisine.

“Mustard, onions and chili are the only toppings we offer,” Kay says.

There’s Texas Pete on the table if you want to drizzle on some hot sauce to add a little bark to your dog. But if you want ketchup, you’ll have to add it yourself.

Consider it a cardinal sin at The Rough House. “Our hot dogs taste too good to ruin them with ketchup,” Kay says.

And it’s not just the menu — hot dogs, ice cream and MoonPies, plus RC Cola, Cheerwine and Coca-Cola served in glass bottles — that takes a step back in time, adding a touch of nostalgia. So does the décor that sports old signs and photos from yesteryear.

“We have pictures on the walls of the old, local baseball teams from Abbeville and Calhoun Falls,” Kay says.

And don’t be surprised to find three generations of local families in one picture, all smiling back at you.

“One particular Saturday, there was a grandfather who was in one of the old baseball pictures,” Kay says. “He brought his son and grandson to see the old photos

14 | July/August 2016

Darrow Kay says things are built on tradition at The Rough House — from the hot dog toppings, sides and drinks to the old photos on the wall.

and to eat hot dogs and enjoy the atmosphere like he did as a young man. It most certainly put a smile on my face to keep the tradition alive.”

It’s all about life in a small town on a summer day, folks coming to The Rough House to experience one of life’s mosttreasured, but simplest, culinary pleasures — a hot dog. Working guys in boots caked with mud and men in suits and ties sitting side-by-side. Grandparents with their grandkids, treating them to what may be their very first Rough House dog.

“It’s awesome to serve the children here in Abbeville,” Kay says. “The majority of the parents and grandparents make sure the children use good manners by saying ‘yes sir’ or ‘yes ma’am’ and ‘thank you.’

Thank goodness that manners are still important and alive in the South.”

While there’s nothing better than a hot

dog on a warm summer day, the sides that come with it are equally important. Here are several that Kay has found to be the best — and they’ll come as no surprise: baked beans, potato salad and coleslaw. 

IF YOU GO...

Where: The Rough House Address: 116 Court Square, Abbeville, S.C. Hours: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.

– 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Food Editor Anne P. Braly is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Prior to pursuing a freelance career, she spent 21 years as food editor and feature writer at a regional newspaper.

MAGIC BAKED BEANS “I’ll go ahead and warn you; these beans are delicious,” Darrow Kay says.

8 slices of thick bacon 1 onion, diced 1 green pepper, diced 3 cans pork and beans (your favorite brand) 3/4 cup barbecue sauce 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup distilled white or apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard Cut bacon slices in half, then fry them on medium-low heat. You don’t want to brown or crisp the bacon at all; the point is only to render the fat and get the bacon pieces ready to bake and turn brown in the oven. Remove bacon pieces once the fat is rendered; do not clean the skillet or pour off grease.

Add onion and green pepper to the skillet and saute until tender. Pour in beans and stir together.

Combine barbecue sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and mustard; stir into beans and simmer for a few minutes. Transfer mixture to a casserole dish and put halfcooked bacon slices on top. Since the fat has already been rendered from these, they’re going to cook up really nicely in the oven … and there won’t be that big layer of grease standing on top of the beans. Bake slowly in a 325 F oven for 2 hours or until the beans have thickened with no soupiness at all.

Pour the coleslaw mix into a strainer and place in the sink. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup kosher salt and lightly toss. Let sit for 5 minutes to draw out moisture from the cabbage; rinse well with cold water. Spin the coleslaw mix in a salad spinner and place in a large bowl.

1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese 6 bacon slices, cooked crisp and crumbled

For the dressing: In a medium bowl mix the mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, celery salt, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and chopped parsley.

Whisk well and pour 2/3 of the dressing over the cabbage mixture, and toss to combine. Add more of the dressing as desired and season with more salt, pepper or parsley to taste. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight before serving.

Preheat grill to 350-400 F (medium-high) heat. Place potatoes in a single layer in center of a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bring up foil sides over potatoes; double fold top and side edges to seal, making 1 large packet. Grill potatoes, in foil packet, covered with grill lid, 15 minutes on each side. Remove packet from grill. Carefully open packet, using tongs, and let potatoes cool 5 minutes. Or, if you do not have a grill, potatoes can be roasted in a 400 F oven with olive oil until browned and tender. Whisk together mayonnaise, parsley, vinegar, sugar and mustard in a large bowl; add potatoes, tossing gently to coat. Stir in blue cheese and bacon.

Serve. 

GRILLED BLUE CHEESE-AND-BACON POTATO SALAD

3

2 1 1

pounds baby red potatoes, cut in half tablespoons olive oil teaspoon salt teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Grilled Blue Cheese-andBacon Potato Salad

CREAMY COLESLAW

1 pound package coleslaw mix 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup kosher salt For the dressing: 2/3 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 1 teaspoon celery salt 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped July/August 2016 | 15

P.O. Box 670 McMinnville, TN 37111

Ben Lomand is the ONLY way to watch LOCAL sports!

Presort STD US Postage PAID Permit #21 Freeport OH

Tune in to Local Channel 6 and WCS Channel 180 this fall as BLTV broadcasts all the action from Warren County and White County football games! It’s local content you can ONLY get from Ben Lomand!

WARREN COUNTY Aug. 26 Lebanon......................................7 p.m.

Sept. 2 Cookeville...................................7 p.m.

Sept. 16 Smyrna.........................................7 p.m.

Sept. 23 Riverdale.....................................7 p.m.

Oct. 14 Coffee...........................................7 p.m.

Games will be on WCS-TV Channel 180.

WHITE COUNTY Aug. 26 York Institute.......................7:30 p.m.

Sept. 2 Rhea County..............................7 p.m.

Sept. 23 Cumberland County...............7 p.m.

Oct. 7 Ooltewah....................................7 p.m.

Oct. 14 Walker Valley..............................7 p.m.

Games will be shown on Local Channel 6.

800-974-7779 | bltv.net